What companies must know to prepare for ISO 14001:2026

A company’s commitment to minimizing its impact on the environment plays an increasingly significant role in, not only regulatory compliance, but also stakeholder perception and long-term business sustainability.

For many industries, such as life sciences, aerospace and automotive, this responsibility carries particular weight given the potential environmental consequences and public health associated with products and operations.

ISO 14001, the internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), provides a valuable framework for addressing these concerns.

In 2026, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is expected to release updates to ISO 14001. The changes will reflect broadening environmental priorities, such as climate change, biodiversity and supply chain sustainability.

Organizations already certified or seeking certification must understand how these revisions will affect their environmental management systems and how ISO 14001 software can help manage the transition.

Contents

Why is ISO 14001 being updated?

Timeline for ISO 14001 changes

What changes are expected in ISO 14001:2026?

How to prepare your software systems for ISO 14001:2026

What is ISO 14001 software?

The benefit of purpose-built software for ISO 14001 compliance

Integrating ISO 14001 with your QMS

Choosing the right ISO 14001 software

Embracing environmental responsibility with the right tools

Why is ISO 14001 being updated?

Since its last major revision in 2015, ISO 14001 has helped organizations of all sizes manage their environmental responsibilities. However, environmental challenges and stakeholder expectations have shifted significantly since the 2015 version was published.

Updates to ISO 14001 will address changing needs and attitudes toward EMS in alignment with the ISO’s 2021 London Declaration on Climate Change, which includes a commitment to integrate climate science into all new and revised international standards.

Timeline for ISO 14001 changes

The ISO Technical Committee (TC 207/SC 1) responsible for ISO 14001 is currently reviewing the standard under the Systematic Review process. The standard is currently undergoing formal final review, with the final version, ISO 14001: 2026, expected to be released in early 2026. Once published, organizations will have an estimated 2-3 years to transition to the revised standards and obligations. 

ISO 14001:2026 path to final publication

During the transition window, organizations can maintain ISO 14001 compliance under the 2015 version but must begin aligning their EMS with the revised requirements. Certification bodies will set official final transition deadlines based on IAF (International Accreditation Forum) guidelines, typically 2-3 years.

What changes are expected in ISO 14001:2026? 

Although the final language is pending, early drafts and ISO working group updates point to several key themes that will appear:

Climate resilience integration

Companies will be required to assess climate-related risks and opportunities within the context of their environmental management system. This includes evaluating how operations may contribute to or be affected by climate change.

Expanded stakeholder expectations

More detailed requirements likely will be introduced for communicating with stakeholders, including reporting environmental performance and sustainability progress publicly or to regulatory bodies.

Increased emphasis on supply chain impacts

Life cycle thinking is already a requirement, but the revised standard may push for deeper engagement with upstream and downstream partners, particularly related to Scope 3 carbon emissions and material traceability.

Biodiversity and ecosystem health

Organizations may be asked to evaluate how their operations affect biodiversity and local ecosystems, particularly in sectors with high environmental impact.

Digital integration and performance monitoring

ISO is emphasizing the need for robust data management and real-time monitoring. EMS software that supports digital audits, KPI tracking and workflow automation will become essential.

How to prepare your software systems for ISO 14001:2026

According to the ISO, more than 300,000 ISO 14001 certificates have been issued worldwide, demonstrating the broader role of environmental management systems. With the upcoming revision, preparation for recertification efforts and compliance must begin. A broad framework for moving forward should include:

• Evaluation of current EMS tools: Are they flexible enough to support upcoming climate and supply chain requirements?

• Attention to integration opportunities: Connect EMS and QMS processes to eliminate redundancies.

• Automating data: KPI dashboards should support new biodiversity and emissions tracking.

• Change management plan: Assign IT or compliance leads to oversee the software transition.

What is ISO 14001 software? 

The ISO 14001 standard defines requirements for an EMS that will enable organizations to reduce their environmental impact, comply with legal obligations and support continuous improvement initiatives.

ISO 14001 software like QT9 QMS provides a digital framework that helps organizations manage environmental policy documentation, compliance workflows, corrective actions, employee training and auditing, all in one unified system. Features can include:

• Policy and objective tracking

• Document version control, approvals and archiving

• Automated audit scheduling and non‑conformity tracking

• Dashboards to monitor environmental performance metrics

• Regulatory change notifications

• Integration with quality and health/safety modules

The benefits of purpose-built software for ISO 14001 compliance

As manufacturers operate under increasingly intense regulatory oversight of the environmental impact of their products and manufacturing methods, they need a comprehensive and efficient approach to demonstrate compliance.

ISO 14001 software is designed to simplify and automate the processes involved in establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an EMS. By providing a digital platform for managing environmental data, documents and workflows, these systems afford several key advantages:

Centralized data management

ISO 14001 software provides a single repository for all environmental-related information, such as policies, procedures, risk assessments, training records, monitoring data and communication logs. This centralized approach enhances accessibility, reduces the risk of data loss and facilitates efficient reporting.

Streamlined document control

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date document control is a cornerstone of ISO 14001 compliance. EMS software solutions offer features for document creation, version control, approval workflows and controlled distribution, ensuring that everyone has access to the latest information.

Improved compliance management

Keeping pace with evolving environmental regulations is a significant challenge, particularly for high-visibility industries, such as aerospace and automotive. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny on waste disposal, emissions controls and product stewardship across multiple regions.

For instance, the European Union's Green Deal initiatives continue to introduce stricter environmental standards impacting packaging and manufacturing processes. ISO 14001 software can help organizations track applicable legal and related requirements, manage compliance obligations and schedule necessary actions, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential penalties.

Enhanced risk management

Chemical waste, solvent emissions and supply‑chain impacts require precise tracking and mitigation. ISO 14001 EMS software allows companies to quickly identify non‑compliances in these areas and manage corrective actions.

ISO 14001 emphasizes identifying and addressing environmental aspects and their associated impacts, as well as identifying opportunities for improvement. Tailored software solutions provide tools for conducting environmental risk assessments, tracking identified risks and opportunities, and implementing appropriate controls and actions.

Efficient monitoring and measurement

Continuous monitoring and measurement are essential for evaluating environmental performance and identifying areas for improvement. ISO 14001 software facilitates the collection, analysis and reporting of key environmental performance indicators (KPIs), such as energy consumption, water usage, waste generation and emissions levels. This data-driven approach enables organizations to track progress toward environmental objectives and make informed decisions for successfully addressing them moving forward.

Simplified auditing and reporting

Conducting internal and external audits is a crucial part of the ISO 14001 certification process. Software solutions streamline the audit process by providing checklists, audit trails and the ability to manage nonconformities and corrective actions. Generating reports for management review and other stakeholders becomes significantly easier with readily available data and automated reporting features.

Increased efficiency and cost savings

By automating manual processes, improving data accuracy and reducing the risk of errors and non-compliance, ISO 14001 software can lead to significant efficiency gains and cost savings over time. Resources can be reallocated to more strategic activities, and the costs associated with environmental incidents and penalties can be minimized.

Integrating ISO 14001 with your QMS

Integrating ISO 14001 principles and practices with a robust quality management system makes strategic sense. Software solutions that encompass both QMS and EMS functionalities offer a unified platform for managing quality and environmental responsibilities.

For example, QT9 QMS provides a comprehensive suite of modules that can be leveraged for ISO 14001 compliance, including document control, training management, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and audit management. By using an integrated system, organizations can:

• Avoid duplication of effort: A single system eliminates the need to maintain separate documentation, processes and data repositories for quality and environmental management.

• Enhance consistency: Integrated workflows and data management ensure consistency across both quality and environmental processes.

• Improve communication and collaboration: A shared platform facilitates better communication and collaboration between teams responsible for quality and environmental management.

• Gain a holistic view of performance: Integrated reporting provides a comprehensive overview of the organization's overall performance, encompassing both quality and environmental metrics.

Choosing the right ISO 14001 software

Selecting the appropriate ISO 14001 software is a significant decision. Organizations should consider the following factors:

• Functionality: Ensure the software offers the features and modules necessary to meet your organization's specific ISO 14001 requirements.

• Integration capabilities: If your company already has a QMS in place or plans to implement one, consider software that offers seamless integration between quality and environmental management modules.

• Scalability: Choose a solution that can adapt to your businesses planned growth and evolving needs.

• User-friendliness: The software should be intuitive and easy to use for all relevant personnel.

• Vendor support and training: Ensure your QMS vendor provides adequate support, training and resources to facilitate successful implementation and ongoing use.

Embracing environmental responsibility with the right tools

Navigating the complexities of environmental responsibility requires a proactive and systematic approach. ISO 14001 provides a valuable framework, and ISO 14001 software offers the tools necessary to effectively implement and maintain an EMS.

Sustainability and environmental management will remain top priorities for consumers, regulatory compliance and businesses across industries.

Integrated QMS solutions like QT9 QMS can provide a holistic approach to managing both quality, compliance and environmental responsibilities, ultimately leading to a greener and more successful enterprise.